I tested TP-Link’s $180 Wi-Fi 7 mesh kit — and it’s a game changer for whole-home connectivity
TP-Link Deco BE23: Specs
Wi-Fi specification: BE3600 (802.11be)
Number of antennas/removable: 4/No
Ports: 2 2.5 Gbps WAN/LAN
Processor/memory/storage: Quad-core 1.1GHz/128MB/512MB
Wi-Fi chip: Qualcomm IPQ5312 and QCN6422
Peak 802.11be performance: 1.449 Gbps (at 15 feet)
Maximum range: 115 feet
Size: 5.9 x 5.9 x 2.2 inches
Estimated annual electricity cost: $25 (router and satellite)
TP-Link’s Deco BE23 marks a fresh start for affordable mesh networking that combines Wi-Fi 7’s charm and speeds with a low price tag. What do you get for $180? In addition to three powerful mesh networking devices, the BE23 provides surprisingly fast wireless data that can fill the typical house.
My TP-Link Deco BE23 review will help you decide if this is the best mesh Wi-Fi system for your needs or if you’re better off spending more for one of the best Wi-Fi 7 routers with tri-band connectivity.
TP-Link Deco BE23 review: Price and availability
If you’re looking for a Wi-Fi 7 mesh bargain, TP-Link’s Deco BE23 does the trick with a list price of $250 for three devices; Amazon has it for $180 – or $60 per unit. I used the $140 two-pack; a single BE23 unit costs $80.
Right now, it defines the entry level for this genre of home mesh networking at a big discount compared to the $230 Orbi 370 two-pack. According to TP-Link, the two- and three-packs can cover 4,500 and 6,500 square feet.
TP-Link Deco BE23 review: Design
Less than a year ago, when reviewing the Netgear Orbi 370 devices, I marveled at how small, powerful and inexpensive they were. What a difference a year makes with the TP-Link Deco BE23 devices coming in one-third smaller at 5.9 x 5.9 x 2.4 inches while pushing throughput to new highs and pricing to new lows.
The small white and gray BE23 units are so understated that they can hide in plain sight on a bookshelf, coffee table or windowsill. The discs lack cutouts for wall-mounting, but several online firms sell brackets. Underneath is a subtle status LED that’s green when everything is working and red means something’s amiss; it can be turned off in the app.
With a BE3600 rating, the BE23 uses Qualcomm’s IPQ5312 and QCN6422 Wi-Fi chips, a 1.1GHz quad-core processor, 128MB of RAM and 512MB of storage space for the firmware and settings. The devices use 2X2 streaming over the 2.4 and 5GHz bands for peak 688Mbps and 2.882 Gbps throughput and up to 150 connections. The BE23 ignores the 6GHz band and super-wide 320MHz data channels.
Based on Wi-Fi 7’s 4K Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM), Multi Link Operations (MLO) and Multiple Resource Unit (Multi-RU) technology, the BE23 streamlines data flow. The devices are set up as the host router and mesh nodes during installation and use artificial intelligence to speed things up and adapt to new situations.
Some will find the lack of a USB port and the pair of 2.5 Gbps networking ports limiting, but you can always connect a network switch to get more. In addition to a Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) button for quick connections, there’s one to reset the device.
It’s secured with TP-Link’s HomeShield’s included basic plan that scans the router for flaws, camera security and rudimentary parental controls. The Security+ plan ($5 a month or $36 a year) adds advanced IoT protection and in-depth reports on networking flaws while the $70 annual Total Security package is comprehensive with malware protection, VPN and password manager.
The router’s two-year warranty includes unlimited support for the product’s life. By contrast, the Orbi 370’s one-year warranty includes 90 days of support. Beyond that, you need to pay.
TP-Link Deco BE23 review: Performance
I set the Deco BE23 up in my 100-year-old home and gauged its performance with Keysight’networking benchmark IXChariot set to simulate 10 data-hungry users. Using an HP Envy X360 notebook, the BE23 delivered an excellent balance between price and performance, starting with 1.667 Gbps of throughput next to the test notebook. That’s 43-percent higher than the Orbi 370’s 1.169 Gbps.
|
TP-Link Deco BE23 |
Netgear Orbi 370 |
MSI Roamii BE Lite |
TP-Link Deco BE63 |
|
|
15 feet |
1.449 Gbps |
1.074 Gbps |
970.3 Mbps |
1.821 Gbps |
|
50 feet |
953.7 Mbps |
515.4 Mbps |
470.5 Mbps |
610.7 Mbps |
|
75 feet |
350.4 Mbps |
191.2 Mbps |
172.8 Mbps |
58.1 Mbps |
|
90 feet |
150.1 Mbps |
85.0 Mbps |
46.7 Mbps |
17.1 Mbps |
At 15-feet, the BE23 delivered a real-world data speed of 1.449 Gbps, compared to the Orbi 370’s 1.074 Gbps and the MSI Roamii BE Lite at 970.3 Mbps. It’s below the tri-band Deco BE63 at 1.821 Gbps though. For all but the family’s data hog it’ll likely be enough throughput.
The BE23 recorded 953.7 Mbps at 50 feet, nearly double the Orbi 370’s 515.4 Mbps, while besting the more expensive BE63’s 610.7 Mbps. It led at 75 and 90 feet with 350.4 and 150.1 Mbps versus the Orbi 370’s 191.2 and 85.0 Mbps. The BE23 had a 115-foot range.
It finished its benchmarking clean sweep with 1.256 Gbps available in an adjacent room 25-feet away and delivered 450.7 Mbps with the test system 40 feet from the upstairs node. That’s well ahead of the Orbi 370’s 930.5 Mbps and 375.3 Mbps.
For two weeks, the BE23 network faithfully delivered gaming, 4K video, emails and music streaming. Having a third unit would likely have filled many of the dead zones in my 3,500 square foot home. The BE23 lacks a USB phone backup for when the Internet connection goes south, something more expensive products add.
The devices passively pull cooling air in from the bottom and the unit ran warm at 104.4 degrees Fahrenheit. The Orbi 370 was cooler at 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit.
The host BE23 and nodes used 10.4 and 5.9 watts. If the network operates 24/7, the three units should cost about $25 a year based on the national average of 17.5 cents per kilowatt hour of electricity. By contrast, an Orbi 370 host and node might cost a few dollars more annually.
TP-Link Deco BE23 review: Setup
After adding names for the network and device, I connected the upstairs node. In 3 minutes, the LAN was supplying my house with data.
TP-Link Deco BE23 review: Configuration
With a wide array of configuration choices, the Deco BE23 app has a nice main Network screen. It shows the LAN layout, how many clients are online and has a link to test the Internet speed.
In addition to a separate IoT network, the BE23 can integrate and control Tapo, Kasa, Philips Hue and Matter home automation devices.
Below are tabs for Security (with a vulnerability scan) and Parental Controls (to configure Web limiting features). The More section is my fav with QOS and Wi-Fi assistant choices, while the Advanced category has IPTV, fast roaming and beamforming choices.
TP-Link Deco BE23 review: Verdict
TP-Link’s Deco BE23 may not be the fastest or most feature rich Wi-Fi mesh set around, but it delivers more data for the buck than other mesh sets. At $180 for a three pack, it may lack enough networking ports and access to 6GHz data streaming, but it has the advantage today when it comes to the best balance between performance and price.
Fine for anything short of a mansion with a gigabit data plan, the Deco BE23 shows that the price really is right.
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